Sound-reproducer.



. E. S. GEER.

SOUND REPRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED MAELZS, 19H.

WWII/E8858: INVENTOR EDMUND S. GEEB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SOUND-REPRODUCER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application filed March 25, 1914. Serial No. 827,239.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND S. GEER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of Bronx and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sound-Reproducers,

of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and

exact description, such as will enable'others skilled in the art to make anduse the same.

This invention relates to sound reproducing apparatus, and with respect to certain more specific features thereof, to so-called repeating means therefor.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a simple and practical device of the character above referred to.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which will automatically and rapidly restore the reproducer needle or stylus to initial position on a sound reproducing record to cause the latter to be replayed.

Another object of this invention is the provision of light and durable mechanism for accomplishing the preceding object.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the-following claims.

In the. accompanying drawings, wherein is shown one of various possible embodiments of this invention, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a sound reproducing machine emb odying this invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line2-2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of certain details of the invention. I

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein similar reference charac 'ters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, there is indicated at 1 a usual type or box or housing adapted to confine certain working parts of a graphophone, such as the spring motor and associated mechanism. This housing 1 has a top 2,-

preferably horizontal and recessed to permit I a stud 3, connected with the spring motor (not shown to pro ect therethrough. Fixed to the stud 3 is the usual turntable 4,

which it appertains to provided on its upper surface with a covermg of felt or other frictional material 5. The stud 3 continues upwardly and through the table 4 and the covering 5 'and projects for a short distance thereabove.

A record member, in the present instance a disk record is indicated at 7 (best shown in Fig. 2), and is mounted loosely over the stud 3, which holds it against radial displacement of the table and is ada ted to be earned on said table by reason 0 the friction created by the covering 5 contacting with the under side of the disk 7.

Upon a bracket 8, projecting from the housing 1, there is pivotally supported a long arm 9, carrying at its free-end a pivoted curved arm orlgooseneck 10, which in turn carries the sound reproducing member 11 and its needle 12. In the playing operation the rotation of the disk 7 in the direction of the arrow a causes the needle 12 to follow in the record, in the present instance,

embodied in a minute spiral groovel3'jof the reproducing portion of the disk, and, accordingly, at each revolution of the disk 7 the needle 12 is moved or transported slightly, although almost imperceptibly, about the pivot 1i transversely of the record member. This movement continues to'the end of the spiral groove 13.

A returning plate 15, preferably of hard rubber or a similar material and of the general peripheral shape of the disk 7, is provided with a central aperture 16, similar to the aperture in the disk, in order to permit the plate 15 to be placed over said disk centering about the pin or stud 3. This plate is preferably provided on its under surface with acontacting disk or washer 17 of soft frictional material.

'The upper side of the plate 15 is provided with a cam 18, preferably in the form of an eccentric or spiral groove.

In order to control the operation of the cam, an escap'ement is employed, one member of the escapement being carried by the reproducer arm and another by the cam or cam plate. Secured to the upper side of the arm 9 is one member of the escapement, as a pawl comprising a flat elongated strip .19, having a down turned forward free end 20 and oppositely disposed ears 21.. A band of elastic material 22 is adapted to be passed from one of the ears 21 around the arm 9 and connected with the opposite car 21, in

order to provide a slightly yielding relation between the strip 19, which is'pivoted at 14, and the arm 9 which is also pivoted at 14. a The plate is recessed as at 23 to permit the needle 12 to contact with the record on the disk 7.and enjoy the substantially radial movement hereinbefore described.

Secured to the plate 15 on the outer ortion thereof, adjacent the opening 23, 1s a bracket 24, comprising a struck-up portion 25, extending a short distance away from the upper surface of the plate 15, the same providing a slot 26 between said plate and said portion 25, which serves to guide the other member of the escapement, this latter comprising an angle member 27, one wall 28 of which plays within the slot-26 and the other wall 29 of which projectsupwardly to coact with the down turned portion 20 of the strip 19.. The bracket 24 is preferably of some spring or resilient material and is adapted to exert a slight pressure by means ofthe struck-up portion 25 against the wall 28 of angle member 27, serving in a measure to frictionally hold'the angle member 27 relatively to said bracket.

It will be obvious that the angle member may have a range of longitudinal movement within the slot 26, and accordingly may be adjusted therein to occupy different positions relative to the plate 15 and the same will be substantially secured where adjusted by the friction means previously explained. The movement of the angle member 27 in the slot 26 is radial. The spiral cam groove 18 is preferably narrow for a considerable portion of its length, but one end of said groove is preferably flared, as indicated at 29'. A bevel or cam portion 30 extends from the end of the flared portion 29' to one edge of the recessed portion 23 of the plate.

Inv the operation of this device the disk 7 is placed upon the table 4, with the stud 3 projecting thereabove. The plate 15 is then placed over the stud 3 with the friction disk or washer 17 bearing against the upper side of the disk on an unscored portion thereof. The recess 23 is properly positioned relatively to the path of travel of the needle 12. The arm 9 is then swung about the pivot 14 into position to bring the needle or stylus 12 opposite the beginning of the scored or spirally grooved portion of the disk. At the same time the down turned portion 20 of the strip 19 may be brought into position to contact with the angle member 27 at the outer portion of the latter, and this down turned portion 20 ivill remain in contact during the sound reproducing operation of the device. As the needle or stylus 12 is moved inwardly toward the stud 3 the member 20 will slide along the wall 29 of the angle member 27 which-has been previously adjusted to set the adjustment to permit the member 20 to pass out of contact with the member 20 passes longitudinally out of contact with the angle member 27, the plate 15 is free to-rotate with the disk 7 on the table 4 and the same is caused so to rotate by reason of the frictional engagement of said plate with the disk 7 through the medium of the friction disk 17. When the plate 15 commences to rotate with the disk 7, the bevel 30 of the plate is brought against the needle 12, and it is to be noted that said needle, as is usual in machines of this character, occupies a slightly oblique position, providing improved sound reproduction. The gooseneck 10 has a pivotal movement, as indicated at 31, and when the bevel 30 is brought into contact with the needle, subsequent movement of the plate in the direction of the arrow 0, causes the portion of the sound reproducing means comprising the needle and sound box to yield about the pivot 31 and the needle to move up into the ared portion 29 of the groove 18. The inner wall 32 of this spiral groove 18 operates as the plate 15 continues to rotate, to urge the needle 12 and all the associated mechanism, including the downturned flange 20, back to initial position. To secure the best results in returning the needle to initial playing position, it is desirable to urge the of course that at this time the needle has been returned to its primary position. Further continued movement of the plate 15 brings the angle member 27 again in contact Wltll same gradually toward said position, and i the downturned member 20 of the strip 19 and prohibits further rotation of the plate 15 with the disk. The needle having been returned into the spiral groove 13 of the disk is now in position to replay the selec-{ tion' and the aforesaid operation may be successfully repeated and is determinable only upon the failure of the motive power. In order to prevent the needle from becoming defaced, the plate 15 is preferably of some undeleterious material such, for example, as1s used 1n the disk 7, more particularly, perhaps, a composition, with rubber as a prominent element. If desired, instead of employing the washer or disk 17, a cap of frictional material might be formed in the aperture 16, and contacting with the stud 3 would have the effect of causing the plate 15 to rotate with the table 4 and the disk 7 when the member 20 passed out of contact with the angle member 27. This would maintain the plate 15 out of contact with the disk 7 and avoid the possibility of retarding or stopping the disk because of the friction between the disk and the plate. It is, however, merely a question of degree to regulate the friction between the disk 7 and the plate 15 so that it will not be sufficient to overcome the friction exerted betweenthe disk 7 and the table 4 and so that it will be sufiicient to cause the plate to rotate with the disk when said plate is released after the playing operation.

Records used in different machines vary' in respective sizes and switch means are provided on the plate 15 as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings which may be set to guide the needle into one of a plurality of diflerent paths to return the same to the proper starting place on records of'diifer- .ent sizes. .As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawnipulation and adjustment of parts may be employed to cause repeating of records of various lengths, which is adapted to be applied to graphophones or spund reproducmg devices of a standard character, and which accomplishes, among others, all of the objects and advantages hereinbefore set forth.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely diiierent embodiments of this invention could be made-without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. a

It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

connected so as to rotate with said table and adapted to automatically disengage said needle and record, move said needle toward the preceding part of said record and permit rengagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of said record.

2. I11 a repeating device for phonographs,

' ceding part of said record.

3. In a repeating device for phonographs, or the like, in combination,'a rotatable table adapted to support a record, a transportable reproducer needle adapted to engage a record on said table, and a cam rotatable with said table adapted to automatically disengage said needle andrecord, move said needle toward the preceding part of said record and permit rengagement of said needle and record at a precedingpart of said record, and manual means adapted to vary the path of movement of said needle under theinfiuence of said cam.

4 In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a record member, a needle adapted to engage the record of said member, means adapted to cause relative rotatable movement between said record member and said needle to play the record comprising a rotatable table on which the record member is mounted, means adapted to automatically disengage said needle and record, cause relative returning movement therebetween after said disengagement, and re'ngagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of the record, said last mentioned means comprising a cam adapted tofrotate with said table, and means adapted alternately to prevent and permit. rotatable movement of said cam with said table.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a record member, a needle adapted to engage the record of said member, means adapted to cause relative rotatable. movement between said record member and said needle to play the record comprising a rotatable table on which the record member is mounted, means adapted to automatically disengage said needle and record, cause relative returning movement therebetween after said disengagement, and

, re'e'ngagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of the record, said last mentioned means comprising a cam adapted to rotate with said table, and means adapted alternately to prevent and permit rotatable movement of said cam with said table gagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of the record, saidlast mentioned means comprising a cam adapted to rotate with said table, and means adapted alternately to prevent and permit rotatable movement of said cam with said table comprising an escapement having a pawl adapt- A ed to be moved by said needle into and out of the path of a cooperating escapement membermovable with said table.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a record member, a needle adapted'to engage the record of said member, means adapted to cause relative rotatable movement between said record mem her and said needle to play the record comprising a rotatable table on which the record member is mounted, means adapted to automatically disengagesaid needle and record, cause relative returning movement therebetween after said disengagement and re'ngagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of the record, said last mentioned means comprising a cam adapted to rotate with said table, and means adapted alternately to prevent and permit rotatable movement of said camwith said table comprising an escapement, one member of which is connected to said needle and the otheradapted to rotate with said table, one of said escapement members being adjustable to vary the point at which the disengagement of said needle and record takes place.

8. In anapparatu's of the character described, in combination, a record support, a motor to operate the same, sound reproducing means, means adapted to be frictionally connected with parts operated by the motor comprising a cam member whereby a portionof the sound reproducing means may be returned to a preceding part of the record, and means adapted to control the operation of the second said means to alternately restrain and permit movement thereof with the support.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a record support, a motor to operate the same, sound reproducing means, means adapted to be frictionally connected with parts operated by the motor. comprising a cam member independently movable with respect to said support means may be returned to a preceding part of the record, and means adapted to control the operation of the second said means to alternately restrain and permit movement thereof with the support.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a record support, a motor to operate the same, sound reproducing means, means adapted to be frictionally connected with parts operated by the motor comprising a cam member, whereby a portion of the sound reproducing means may be returned to a preceding part of the record in less than one revolution of the latter, and means adapted to control the operation of the second said means to alternately restrain and permit movement thereof with the record support.

11. In an apparatus of the character de-. scribed, in combination, a record support, a motor to operate the same, sound reproducing means, means adapted to be frictionally connected with parts operated by the motor, comprising a cam member whereby a portion of the sound reproducing means may be returned to a preceding part of the record, and means comprising a member movable with a portion of the sound reproducing means adapted to control the operation of the second said means to alternately restrain and permit movement thereof with the record support.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, sound reproducing means, a record member, a member independently movable with respect to the record member, comprising means having a cam adapted to return a portion of the sound reproducing means to a precedingpart of the record, and means comprising a member movable with a portion of the sound reproducing means and a member fixed with respect to said cam member adapted to control the operation of the second said means.

'13. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, in combination, a record member, a' motor to operate the same, sound reproducing means, means adapted to be frictionally connected with parts operated by the motor: comprising a cam member whereby a 'portion of the sound reproducing means may be returned to a preceding part of the record, and means comprising a member movable with a portion of the sound reproducing means and a member fixed with respect to said cam member adapted to control the operation of the second said means to alternately restrain and permit movement thereof with the record member.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a record member, a motor to operate the same, sound reproducing means, means adapted to be frictionwhereby a portion of the sound reproducing ally connected with parts operated by the preceding part of the record, and means comprising a member movable with a portion of the sound reproducing means and a member fixed with respect to said cam member adapted to control the operation of the second said means to alternately restrain and permit movement thereof with the rec,- ord member.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, sound reproducing means, a record member, a member independently movable with respect to the record member, comprising means having a cam adapted to return a portion of the sound reproducing means to a preceding partof the record in less than one revolution of the latter, and means comprising a member movable with a portion of the sound reproducing means and a" member fixed with respect to said cam member adapted to control the operation of the second said means.

16. In an apparatus of the character de-- scribed, in combination, a record member, a motor to operate the same, a needle, means adapted to be removablyattached to parts operated by the motor comprising a cam plate whereby the needle may be moved away from the record and restored to a preceding part thereof, and means adapted to cause the operation of the first said means at different predeterminable times.

17. In an apparatus-of the character described, in combination, a record member, a

motor to operate the same, a needle, means,

adapted to be removably attached to parts operated by the motor comprising a cam plate whereby the needle may be moved away from the record and restored to different predeterminable preceding parts thereof, and means adapted to control the operation of the first said means. i I I 18. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a record member, a

motor to operate the same, a needle, means adapted to be removably attached to parts operated by the motor comprising a cam plate whereby the needle may be moved away from the record and restored to different predeterminable preceding parts thereof, and means adapted" to cause the operation of the first said means at different predeterminable times.

19. In a repeating device for phonographs, or the like, in combination, a motor, a part moved thereby, a movable sound reproducer, a part movable therewith, a cam plate provided with a frictional engaging surface whereby the same may be yieldingly connected to the part moved by themotor for movement with said part, a controlling member for said plate adapted to be attached to the part movable with the sound reproducer to move therewith, and a member on said cam plate adapted to co-act with said controlling member. 4

20. In a repeating device for phonographs or the like, in combination, a sound reproducer, a plate. having a frictional record-engaging surface on its lower side and a cam groove on its upper side, and controlling means for said plate comprising a member movable therewith and a member attached to a movable part of the sound reproducer adapted to co-aot with the first said member.

21. In a repeating device for phonographs or the like, in combination, a sound reproducer, a plate having a frictional record-engaging surface on its lower side and a cam groove on its upper side, controlling means for said plate comprising a member movable therewith and a member attached to a movablepart of the sound reproducer adapted to co-act with the first graphs or the like, in combination, a movable sound reproducer,a motor, a plate provided with a frictional engaging surface whereby the same may be yieldingly connected to a part moved by the motor for movement with said part, a stop member on said plate, and a co-acting stop member adapted to move with the movable sound reproducer, one of said members being adjustable to vary the control of the operation of said plate by said members.

23. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table adapted tocarry arecord, sound-reproducing means adapted to be advanced relatively to said record, and means adapted to return said sound-reproducing means to initial position to cause repetition of the sounds, said means comprising a cam member adapted to be held against rotation with said table during a portion of the travel of said sound-reproducing means on said record and releasable to permit rotation with said table to move said reproducing means out of contact with said record back to a restarting position.

24. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table adapted to carry a record, a movable member having sound-reproducing means associated therewith movable relatively to said record, a cam member adapted to move with said record, and means adapted to restrict the movement of said cam member with said record, said',last means adapted to permit movement of said cam member with said record at a predetermined time to cause said sound-reproducing means to be returned to a predetermined position.

25. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table, a movable sound reproducer, a cam member adapted to be associated with the rotatable table, means adapted to be associated with the movable sound-reproducer to restrict the movement of said cam member, and means whereby said last means'may release said cam member at a predetermined time allow ing the latter to be rotated with said table to cause a return of said sound-reproducer to a predetermined restarting point.

26. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table, a record member, a 'sound reproducer movable transversely ofthe record member, a cam member adapted to rotate with said table and move said sound reproducer to'a preceding part of the record, means adapted to prevent the rotation of said cam member with said table comprising a member movable with said sound reproducer, and means permitting said last mentioned means to be set to release said cam member at different points in the path of said transverse movement.

27. In a device of the character described,

in combination, a rotatable table, a movable adapted to be associated with the movable sound-reproducer to restrict the movement of said cam member, and means whereby said last means may release said cam member at a predetermined time allowing the latter to be rotated with said table to cause the sound-reproducer to be raised-onto said plate, acted upon by a wall of said cam groove and returned thereby to a predetermined restarting point.

28. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table, a movable sound reproducer, a cam member comprising a fiat plate having inclined edges and a cam groove extending between difierent inclined edges, said cam member adapted to be associated with the rotatable table, means adapted to be associated with the movable sound-reproducer to restrict the movement of said cam member, and adjustable means whereby said last means may'release said cam member 'at different predetermined times allowing the latter to be rotated with said table to cause the sound-reproducer to be raised on to said plate, acted'upon by a wall of said cam member, and returned thereby from different finishing points to a predetermined restarting point.

29. In a device of the character described, in combination, a sound reproducing mechanism comprising a reproducer. needle, a cam member adapted to intercept said needle to return the same to causerepetition of the sounds, and means whereby said-cam member may be held against interception of the needle during the sound-reproducing operation.

30. In a device of the character described, in combination, a sound reproducing mechanism comprising a reproducer needle, a cam member having a needle contacting portion of material undeleterious to said needle and adapted to intercept said needle to return the same to cause repetition of the sounds, and means whereby said cam member may be held against interception of the needle during the sound-reproducing operation.

. reproducing direction.

32. In a device of the character described, in combination, sound-reproducing mechanism, a cam member adapted to intercept aportion of the sound reproducing mechanism to return the same to cause repetition of the sounds, means whereby said cam member may be held against said interception during the sound reproducing operation and adjustable means associated with said cam member whereby said sound reproducing means may be returned to different restarting points.

33. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table adapted to support a record, a transportable reproducer needle adapted to engage a record on-said table, and a cam rotatable concentrically with said table adapted to automatically disengage said needle and record, move said needle toward the preceding part of said record and permit reengagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of said record.

' 34. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table adapted to support a record, a transportable reproducer needle adapted to engage a record on said table, and a cam rotatable concentrically with said table adapted to antomaticallydisengage said needle and record, positively. move said needle toward the prece ing part of said record while dis engaged and permit reengagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of said record.

. 35. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table adapted to support a record, a transportreproducer needle adapted to engage a record on said table, a rotatable plate having a friction surface adapted to rest on a record on said table, and a cam groove on said plate and rotatable therewith concentrically with said table, said cam groove being traversed by said needle and adapted to automatically disengage said needle and record, positively move said needle toward the preceding part of said record while dis-- engaged and permit reengagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of said record.

37. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatable table adapted to support a record, a transportable reproducer needle adapted to engage a record on said table, a rotatable plate adapted to rest on a record on said table, said plate having a recess adapted to permit the needle to engage the record, and a cam carried by said plate and rotatable therewith concentrically with said table, said cam being adapted to automatically disengage said needle and record, positively move said needle toward the preceding part of said record while disengaged and permit reengagement of said needle and record at a preceding part of said record.

38. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a' record member, a pivoted arm, a needle connected to said arm and adapted to engage said member, means adapted to cause relative rotatable movement between said record member and said needle to play the record comprising a rotatable table on which the record member is mounted, means adapted to automatically disengage said needle and record, cause relative returning movement therebetween after said disengagement, and reengagement. of said needle and record at a preceding part of the record, said last mentioned means comprising a cam adapted to rotate with said table, and means adapted alternately to prevent and permit rotatable movement of said cam with said table comprising an sound reproducer to a preceding part of the record, means adapted to prevent the rotation of said cam member with said record comprising a part movable with said sound reproducer, and means permitting said last mentioned means to be set to release said cam member at different points in the path of said transverse movement.

40. In a repeating mechanism for talking machines the combination of a rotatable record table, a reproducer needle, a cam rotatable with said table and adapted to lift said needle from an operative position at the end of a selection and move it in its inoperative position across the face of the table approximately to the starting point of said selection and means connected with said cam for permitting said needle to return to an. operative position as said starting point is reached.

41. The combination with a talking machine of means adapted to be driven by frictional contact with the record for restoring said machine to a condition to repeat the playing of the record, and means for preventing the movement of said repeating means during the playing of the record.

42. The combination with a talking machine including a rotary platen, a pivoted tone arm, a sound box carried by said tone arm and a record disk carried by said platen, said sound box having a substantially radial movement across said record disk, .of means adapted to be placed upon said record disk and driven through frictional contact therewith for restoring said tone arm and sound box to initial position after EDMUND S. Witnesses:

JEssE A. HOLTON, C- J. KULBERG. 

